Trainee Pensions Officer

The role involves inputting a range of pay-affecting data into the National ESR Payroll system and performing various calculations, such as PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The work is carried out to strict deadlines, with a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail. In addition, the role includes taking appropriate recovery action based on individual circumstances and advising employees in accordance with departmental procedures. Corrective actions are undertaken in the ESR system to ensure accurate calculations of statutory deductions and that correct entries are made.,

• Ensure that the administration of pension data is correctly and accurately recorded for each employee achieving the required deadline dates. Deal with all aspects of the NHS Pension Scheme e.g. joiners, leavers, refunds, transfers and pension related queries.
• Provide manually calculated, accurate pensions information in conjunction with the information systems available (i.e. Pensions On line and ESR.), including calculations of a complex or sensitive nature ensuring information remains confidential for both employees and managers. Utilise these calculations to provide estimates of benefits, information for transfers, legal proceedings, age retirements, and the preservation of benefits.
• Assist with the administration to purchase any additional pension, ensuring all relevant application forms are completed and upon receipt deductions are entered correctly in ESR payroll system. Calculate arrears manually where necessary. Accurately maintain associated manual records
• Ensure the correct and timely input of data in ESR of new members pension scheme deductions from salary
• Assist the Pensions Team Manager in liaising with bereaved family members in regards to eligibility of pension benefits
• Ensure that Pensions Online (POL) is updated with accurate information for all types of pension awards
• Have a good knowledge of the NHS Pension Scheme rules and regulations, understand how these may affect employees and ensure the correct application of these regulations
• Adhere to Auto-Enrolment (AE) regulations and keep up to date with new legislation and that the Trust remain compliant with the Pensions Regulator Act
• Assist the Pensions Manager with the daily provision of concise and accurate information and /or clarification of Pension Regulations and procedures on enquiry. Additionally, providing details of the effects of any changes to Agenda for Change and M&D Terms and Conditions on pension membership (Maternity leave, flexible working, sickness, career breaks, salary sacrifice schemes)on request. Where personal or more specific pension details are required, following up such enquires promptly and effectively.
• Assists with the correction and updating of pension records which are in error
• Furnishing scheme members with benefit claim forms and ill-health retirement application forms on request
• Ensure all awards which are processed are checked and any amendments notified to NHS Pensions in a timely manner.
• Estimating the Abatement rule when required
• Estimating manual redundancy calculations
• Prepare, process and update NHS pension scheme records via the internet using the NHS Pensions online facility
• Ensure the correct set up and deduction for any local schemes including NEST and local Government Pension
  
  We are looking to recruit a Trainee Pensions Officer, who has a passion for helping us provide an excellent customer experience to our clients, has an excellent telephone manner and excellent administrative and IT skills. The candidate must demonstrate attention to detail and a commitment and enthusiasm to contributing to service improvement and development. The candidate must have knowledge of the ESR system, Agenda for Change and NHS Pension scheme whilst working under pressure and adhering to strict deadlines., NVQ Level 4 or equivalent or experience of working in an Payroll environment, Extensive knowledge of pay procedures and statutory legislation and experience of working in a payroll department
• Working knowledge of payroll screens and transfer facilities within the H.R. system.
• Understanding of security and Health and safety issues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of computer input and the use of spreadsheets.
Desirable criteria
• Comprehensive knowledge of NHS conditions and pay procedures including the appropriate application of relevant statutory legislation.
• Previous experience and ability to use ESR payroll system.
• Experience and knowledge of NHS Pension rules and regulations.
  
  One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.
One LSC stands for 'One Lancashire and South Cumbria' and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership. The Trusts that make up One LSC are: · Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust · Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust · Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts. The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations. At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve., Our friendly and thriving Employee Business Services currently has 6 clients. Providing a high quality payroll and pension service to approx. 20,000 employees which equates to producing in excess of 300,000 payslips annually whilst consistently delivering accuracy rates of 99%., Our Partnership brings together the five NHS provider Trusts with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in Lancashire and South Cumbria to improve health and healthcare. The organisations across Lancashire and South Cumbria involved in the collaboration are Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.This is about working together as equal partners to make sure patients, their families and communities benefit across the whole of the area. The aim is to reduce health inequalities and improve services, outcomes and people's experiences of accessing healthcare. Our partnership also aims to ensure that Lancashire and South Cumbria is a great place to work. We want to further improve quality by sharing skills and best practice, pooling our resources and standardising the way we work where possible to reduce unnecessary duplication. To achieve this we have created One LSC, which will oversee all corporate services for Lancashire and South Cumbria. This is an exciting time to join a new collaboration, which is focused on a system-wide approach to better outcomes for patients and opportunities for staff. Please note that One LSC is hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, who would be the employer., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, is committed to improving the working lives of its colleagues and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy on aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. As a recruitment service, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service in recruiting people into positions of trust. It is important to us that we employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone - irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that as an employer we are under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit. We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable you to apply for this post.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38., Please note: a young person must be in part-time education or training until they're 18. If you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role. Disclosure and Barring Service checks If the role you've applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40, Standard DBS check £26.40, Enhanced DBS check £54.40 and Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here. In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working.